Cowling & Watts Est. 1931 · Red Hook, Brooklyn

Bespoke

We come to you.
Usually at night.

Every pair of Cowling & Watts shoes is fitted in person by a master fitter with at least twenty years at the trowel. Fittings take place wherever is most convenient: a warehouse, a marina, the back of a laundromat. We have worked in worse.

The Process

Four steps. No paperwork.

  1. The Call

    Telephone the shop and ask for “Sal.” There is no Sal. That is how we know.

  2. The Measure

    We fit to the ankle, not the foot, so the wearer's shoe size is a courtesy rather than a requirement. So is the wearer's consent.

  3. The Pour

    Mixed on site in a mortar tub and poured in two lifts. Full strength takes twenty-eight days. Nobody has ever needed it to.

  4. The Send-Off

    Delivery is included within the five boroughs and selected parts of New Jersey. There is no tracking number.

Request a Fitting

Tell us a little.
Not too much.

Fill in what you are comfortable with. We prefer cash, first names, and appointments on Tuesdays, when the harbor patrol has its bowling league.

This is a parody site. We send one joke confirmation email to the address above and nothing else. Your name, shoe size and notes never leave this page, and we don't keep your email address.

Questions

Frequently asked, rarely answered.

What is your returns policy?

In ninety-five years of trading we have never had a pair come back. We have never had a wearer come back either, so the question hasn't really come up.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. We take Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and the rest, so you can spread the cost over a few weeks. We’d gently point out that the wearer only needs one. See Ways to Pay.

Are they comfortable?

We have received no complaints.

Do they float?

No.

Is there a warranty?

Every pair comes with a lifetime guarantee. Please note that the lifetime in question is usually quite short.

Can I buy a pair as a gift?

Almost all of our pairs are gifts. We include a hand-written card on request. Most clients choose “Regards from the family.”

Do you offer a vegan option?

Every pair is vegan apart from the tassels on the Narrows loafer. The wearer is not covered by this statement.

How should I care for my shoes?

Keep them cool, dark and fully submerged. Do not expose to air, sunlight or forensic divers.

Do you have a children's range?

Absolutely not. We are a family business, not monsters.